Friday 12 January – Anna Denisova and Man Qin Hui (pianists from Royal Northern College of Music)

Monday 15 January – Trappini Trio: violin, cello, piano

Wednesday 17 January – Jeff Jazz Duo: sax and piano

Friday 19 January – Mark Fisher: guitar

Monday 22 January – Eira Lynn Jones: harp

Wednesday 24 January – Concert provided by Music in Hospitals and Care (details tbc)

Friday 26 January – Manchester Reed Trio: clarinet, oboe and bassoon

Monday 31 January – Michael Cretu Duo

December 2017

Friday 1 December – Olivia Dance: piano (student from the Royal Northern College of Music)

Monday 4 December – Duncan Gallagher and Katherine Blumer: clarinet, violin and piano (concert delivered in partnership with Music in Hospitals & Care, and supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust)

Wednesday 6 December – Manchester Medical Orchestra and Choir

Friday 8 December – Scaramouche Duo:flute and harp

Monday 11 December – Scaramouche Duo: flute and harp

Wednesday 13 December – Michael Cretu Duo

Friday 15 December – Trio Volant: clarinet, oboe and bassoon (students from the Royal Northern College of Music, delivered in partnership with Music in Hospitals & Care, and supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust)

Monday 18 December – Trappini Trio: violin, cello and piano

Wednesday 20 December – Eira Lynn Jones: harp

Friday 22 December – Martin Bickerton: guitar

November 2017

Wednesday 1 November – Manchester Reed Trio: clarinet, oboe, bassoon

Friday 3 November – Piano students from Royal Northern College of Music

Monday 24th August – Charlie Ingham: Young singer/guitarist Charlie will be performing his mix of Indie acoustic pop.

Wednesday 26th August – Ruqia and John Ellis: Smooth blues/jazz vocals with piano

Friday 28th August– Will Allen: Accomplished singer/guitarist performing favourites from the 50s right through to present day.

Monday 31st August – No concerts BANK HOLIDAY

July 2015

The Charleston Charlies

Wednesday 1 July: Stringboxes Holly plays African Harp (kora) and Michael plays double bass. Together they offer a beautiful mix of Romanian, gypsy and African melodies as well as a variety of familiar songs you can sing along to.

Friday 3 July: Beaver Road Primary School Choir – Beaver Road Year 6 Choir joined us back in February and created a very special lunchtime in the atrium with wonderful medleys of well known songs. Today, the school’s Year 3 choir will be performing. A concert not to be missed!

Monday 6 July: Michael Cretu Duo – This duo are guaranteed to delight you with their wonderful traditional folk style jazz. Original compositions include a crossover of jazz, classical and gypsy elements.

Wednesday 8 July: Jenny Rust and Jill Fogden – Jenny Rust , soprano, will be performing beautiful renditions of light opera, familiar classics and songs from the shows. The talented pianist, Jill Fogden will be accompanying her on piano.

Friday 10 July: The Charleston Charlies – Headed by Cheeky Charlie himself this trio will delight us with familiar songs from the twenties onwards.

Wednesday 15th July: The Charleston Charlies – we are happy to welcome back the Cheeky Charlies for their second performance this month.

Friday 17 July: Cupid’s Bow – Adrianne Wininsky and Margit van der Zwan travel the world with their cellos. Together they have clocked up an impressive range of musical experiences performing at many weddings, with orchestras, theatres and bands, and at festivals around the globe.

Monday 20 July: Michael Cretu Duo – This duo are guaranteed to delight you with their wonderful traditional folk style jazz. Original compositions include a crossover of jazz, classical and gypsy elements.

Wednesday 22 July: Stringboxes – we are happy to welcome back Stringboxes for their second performance this month.

Friday 24 July: The Charleston Charlies – one of the favourites! They’re back for a third time this July. A veritable summertime treat!

Monday 27 July: Ben Hayward – A singer guitarist of high regard, we welcome Ben to the Eye Hospital today where he will entertain staff and patients with a variety of popular classics spanning the last few decades.

Wednesday 29 July: Manchester Reed Trio – The flexibility of clarinet, oboe and bassoon lead to a varied and sonorous performance. The group offer diverse arrangements of familiar classical, pop and more!

Friday 31 July: Michael Cretu Duo – we are happy to welcome back the Michael Cretu Duo for their second performance this month.

June 2015

Two Man One Man Band

Monday 1 June – Martin Bickerton: Classical guitar performer, teacher, composer, arranger and self-styled music geek, Martin, will be kick starting the June Lunchtime Concerts with a mix of music from the renaissance through to present day.

Wednesday 3 June Holly Marland is certainly no stranger to the Central Manchester University Hospitals – she brings her musical expertise to nearly every nook and cranny of the hospitals. One of the favourites of the RMEH Lunchtime Series.

Friday 5 June – Sanket Jadhav: An extremely talented pianist – he plays a wide range of styles including classical and well known pieces from Bollywood.

Monday 8 June – The Charleston Charlies: Cheeky Charlie and his chums bring swing, jazz and lots of easy to join in singalong favourites. Loads of fun!

Wednesday 10th June – Two Man One Man Band: Multi-intsrumentalist duo perform songs from all walks of life mashing up popular culture from all ages exploring different styles and traditions of music from around the world. They might even do a spot of juggling!

Friday 12 June – Ben Hayward: A singer guitarist of high regard, we welcome Ben back to the Eye Hospital today where he will perform a variety of popular classics spanning the last few decades.

Monday 15 June – Ruqia and John Ellis: Ruqia made her debut at the Eye Hospital in May. Velvet soul and smooth jazz will ooze through the atrium like liquid chocolate.

Wednesday 17th June – Sanket Jadhav: we are lucky to have Sanket performing for us again this month. Classical, Bollywood and beyond!

Friday 19th June – Project Jam Sandwich: A dynamic folk quintet made up of award-winning musicians that jam up a storm of fusion folk explosion from around the world

Monday 22 June: Trappini String Quartet – a beautiful blend of strings to float you away from the hospital atrium on a wave of calm and serenity.

Wednesday 24 June: Holly Marland will be here again to play piano and her wonderful African harp (Kora). Holly always performs with the audience in mind and offers warmth and humanity with a twinkle in her eye!

Friday 26th June:Conor O’Kane – here all the way from Derry, Northern Ireland, Conor is a true punk poet whose gentler side offers beautiful folk songs and country-blues tinged tales of caravan life.

Monday 29th June – Manchester Reed Trio: oboe, clarinet, and bassoon promises flexibility of instrumentation leading to a varied and sonorous sound world.

May 2015

Ben Hayward

Friday 1st May – Trappini Trio: The Trappini Trio provide high-class entertainment, from concert hall recitals to weddings. With a host of distinguished clients throughout the UK and internationally, this group of professionals is second-to-none in their field. Their beautiful music will undoubtedly reverberate wonderfully around the Eye Hospital atrium.

Monday 4th May – no concert due to Bank Holiday

Wednesday 6th May – Stringboxes: Holly plays African Harp (kora) and Michael plays double bass. Together they offer a beautiful mix of Romanian, gypsy and African melodies as well as a variety of familiar songs you can sing along to!

Friday 8th May – Cupid’s Bow Cello Duo: Adrianne Wininsky and Margit van der Zwan travel the world with their cellos. Together they have clocked up an impressive range of musical experiences performing at many weddings, with orchestras, theatres and bands, and at festivals around the globe.

Monday 11 May – The Michael Cretu Duo Michael is an amazing Transylvanian double bass player, guaranteed to delight you with his wonderful traditional folk style jazz. His original compositions include a crossover of jazz, classical and gypsy elements. He is a regular in the Eye Hospital, as part of Stringboxes. We are excited to invite him back as The Michael Cretu Duo.

Wednesday 13th May – The Charleston Charlies (MiH) The national charity Music in Hospitals is providing the entertainment today with the cheeky trio known as The Charleston Charlies. Headed by Cheeky Charlie himself they will delight us with familiar songs from the twenties onwards.

Friday 15th May – Pianist John Ellis is a regular to the Eye Hospital Concert Series – playing blues and jazz piano with effortless sophistication. Today, for the first time he will be joined by singer Ruqia – smooth and silky jazz and soul. A real treat!

Monday 18 John Lancaster – The tradition of Indian classical music is an oral one taught directly by the guru to the disciple. John has travelled to India to master his art on a number of occasions. There is unique intricacy and rhythmic sophistication in Indian music. Please join us in the atrium to experience some of this fine musicianship for yourself.

Wednesday 20 May – Ben Hayward – A singer guitarist of high regard, we welcome Ben to the Eye Hospital today where he will entertain staff and patients with a variety of popular classics spanning the last few decades.

Friday 22 May – Cupid ’s Bow Cello Duo – Cello Duo Cupid’s Bow provide sophisticated entertainment that will surprise and delight you. Cupid’s Bow have performed with some of the biggest names in music including Take That, Snow Patrol, I Am Kloot, Eliza Carthy and the duo even feature on Elbow’s latest album, ‘Build A Rocket Boys’.

Monday 25 May – no concert due to Bank Holiday

Wednesday 27th May – Holly Marland – Solo Kora and solo piano. No stranger to playing in the Eye Hospital, Holly’s expertise includes regular broadcasts as a member of the BBC Daily Service Singers, performance and studio work as a Kora player (West African Harp) and participatory concert performances in special education needs settings with her duo partner Michael Cretu. She will be performing as a soloist today on the piano as well as with her Kora.

Friday 29 May – Charlie Ingham. Young Charlie returns by popular demand. A local singer/guitarist, 14- year old Charlie has earned his stripes performing at open mic nights in the area as well as guest spots at various gigs and festivals. He offers modern indie pop interspersed with some original compositions and old favourites.

April 2015

Blu and John Ellis

Wednesday 1 April – Rachael Gladwin: Rachael Gladwin is a professional harpist based in Manchester and performs all over the UK and abroad. We are hugely lucky that she will be able to perform a number of concerts for us this month.

Thursday 2 April – Stringboxes: Holly melds traditional West African songs of the Mandinka people in West Africa with new songs and stories, drawing on folk traditions. Born in Romania, Michael comes from an eminent family of musicians dating back to the 17th Century and weaves Ottoman-influenced gypsy and folk melodies into his own virtuoso compositions

Friday 3 April – No concert – GOOD FRIDAY

Monday 6 April – No Concert – EASTER MONDAY

Wednesday 8 April John Lancaster – Sitar: melodies from India. A relaxing and beautiful performance.

Friday 10 April Robin Sunflower and John Ellis: Blues harmonica and piano duo return to the atrium. Witness Robin’s innovative use of a loop unit!

Monday 13 April – Blu and John Ellis Our regular pianist John Ellis playing for Jazz Dancer, Blu! An interesting lunchtime awaits!

Wednesday 15 April – Deli Babies: Clarinet and guitar duo – with elements of klezmer and gypsy music, The Deli Babies guarantee a mesmerising interplay of harmony and melody.

Friday 17 April – Charlie Ingham: Welcoming back Charlie Ingham – 14 year old Charlie will be playing his lovely brand of acoustic indie pop…some covers, some of his own songs, we’re looking forward to a great performance!

Monday 20th April – Rachael Gladwin: Again, Rachel will be entertaining us with her wonderful harp playing.

Wednesday 22 April – Martin Bickerton: Expect a sensitive and accomplished performance of Classical Guitar from Manchester based Martin.

Monday 2nd March – Cupid’s Bow Cello Duo: “Listening to Cupid’s Bow made the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. Beautiful music, performed by two outstanding and gorgeous musicians” – Guy Garvey, lead singer in Elbow

Friday 6th March 12.30pm (please note time change) – Stringboxes: a dynamic kora/voice and double bass duo formed by established musicians of international acclaim, performing an exciting mix of West African, Gypsy, Folk, Contemporary, Classical and Jazz.

Monday 9th March – Dotted Crotchets: a contemporary string quartet who provide beautiful music from their huge repertoire of pop, rock, indie, film themes, jazz, Bollywood and classical.

Wednesday 11th March – John Ellis: now a regular at our lunchtime concerts and a very popular one too. Feedback form his last concert at the Eye Hospital: “I heard the music and it made me walk this way instead. What a wonderful thing! The music gives something back in what sometimes be quite a hard environment to be in.”

Friday 13th March – Beaver Road School Choir– a choir of Year 6 pupils from Beaver Road Primary School in Chorlton will be here. They perform regularly at local residential homes and concerts in aid of charities. A fun and varied programme awaits!

Monday 16th March – The Robin Sunflower Duo – Robin Sunflower started playing the harmonica in the 80s, joining the legendary blues act Victor Brox and the Blues Train, gigging extensively throughout the UK. Since then he has become a member of several highly lauded bands on the Manchester scene. He will be playing with John Ellis in the atrium today.

Wednesday 18th March – The Charleston Charlies: bring their cheeky brand of swing to the atrium. Familiar tunes of yesteryear are delivered with exuberance and sparkle.

Friday 20th March – Stringboxes – “I saw Stringboxes at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. I was feeling just fine but afterwards…… I felt much better. The playing, the sounds, the tunes, the tones, the overtones and oh that voice. Stringboxes are evocative, they take you to Africa via Manchester…… and they’ve definitely got rhythm!”

Monday 23rd March – Leos String Quartet: The flair they bring to their extensive repertoire from Bach, Gershwin & Muse adds a real lift to any occasion. String ensembles are a particular treat in the fantastic acoustics that the Eye Hospital atrium has to offer.

Wednesday 25th March – John Lancaster: gentle sitar will stir the soul and take you on a journey to the Indian subcontinent. A meditative and soothing performance.

Friday 27th March – Lyn O’Hara and Adam Hutchins – Lyn is a versatile, lively performer and has appeared in many musicals throughout her career, including the West End, such as Oliver, Pygmalion and the Pirates of Penzance. Accompanied by jazz cat, Adam Hutchins (who appeared here as a soloist in February), this will certainly be a concert to remember!

Monday 30th March – Rachel Holden – Back by popular demand, 15 year old Rachel Holden has been invited to return to the Eye Hospital to delight the patients and staff with her beautiful piano playing.

Friday 6th February:Stringboxes: a dynamic kora/voice and double bass duo formed by established musicians of international acclaim, performing an exciting mix of West African, Gypsy, Folk, Contemporary, Classical and Jazz.

Wednesday 11th February:The Charleston Charlies – this trio brings true joi de vivre to the swing greats. Top hat and tails and lots of fun.

Friday 13th February: John Lancaster: gentle sitar will stir the soul and take you on a journey to the Indian subcontinent.

Monday 16th February: as it’s half term week, young Manchester musicians Rachel Holden (15 years old) and Charlie Ingham (13 years old) will each perform a half hour set. Rachel plays piano and will entertain you with well known tunes and classical pieces. Charlie, singer guitarist, specialised in acoustic indie pop such as Ed Sheerhan, and The 1975 as well as some of his own numbers.

Friday 20th February:Stringboxes. A patient said: “I saw Stringboxes at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. I was feeling just fine but afterwards…… I felt much better. The playing, the sounds, the tunes, the tones, the overtones and oh that voice. Stringboxes are evocative, they take you to Africa via Manchester…… and they’ve definitely got rhythm!”

Monday 23rd February:Leos String Quartet – The flair this quartet bring to their extensive repertoire, from Bach to Gershwin to Muse, adds a real lift to any occasion. We are lucky to be able to enjoy their beautiful music in the light and airy atmosphere of the Eye Hospital atrium.

Wednesday 25th February:Heart Strings Trio – a string trio consisting of three sisters who play violin, viola and cello. They will be performing a varied mix of classical, jazz and pop.

Wednesday 21st January: John Ellis – one of the most in demand keyboard players in the UK. John’s playing can be found on albums by Tom Jones, Lily Allen, Cinematic Orchestra and Baked a la Ska.

Friday 23rd January: Holly Marlandplays the Kora – offering beautiful West African songs and melodies with a sprinkling of her own original works. Holly is a member of the LIME Music for Health team at CMFT and a regular in the CMFT concerts series.

Monday 26th January: Project Jam Sandwich – devised of five award-winning musicians from the RNCM, Project Jam Sandwich is a ‘world music’ outfit, adding their own individual stamp to folk music from all over the world.

Friday 30th January: Margaret Knight – we are lucky to have harpist Margaret Knight back to perform at the Eye Hospital once again as she tours the North of England for the charity Music in Hospitals. Beautiful Melodies will delight listeners. Feel free to ask Margaret about her harp – she even welcomes requests!

Monday 27th January @ 10.30am – St Mary’s Hospital: Flat Cap 2 – a warm and engaging duo that will bring a smile to your face, a twinkle to your eye and a spring in your step. Expect blues, swing and jazz classics, with a sprinkling of singalong songs and familiar folkiness.

Friday 31 January @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Liam Curtin – having worked for many years ass a potter, Liam has recently been making artworks for public spaces, ranging from a series of small bronze jewel like discs set in the pavement in Oxford to the Blackpool High Tide Organ which is played twice daily on the promenade by the swell of sea water at high tide. Liam is a mainly self-taught pianist who will play a beautiful programme of classical pieces.

Monday 3rd February @ 10.30 – Royal Eye Hospital: Margaret Knight – we are lucky to have harpist Margaret Knight back to perform at CMUH once again as she tours the North of England for the charity Music in Hospitals. An extremely talented musician with many year’s experience in healthcare settings she can play anything from folk to classical to songs of yesteryear. She encapsulates all that is good with the world!

Friday 7th February @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Holly Marland (Kora) and Michael Cretu (double bass) present an energising programme of West African songs, Romanian gypsy music and original works. They have a unique sound and synergy as a duo that is generating widespread acclaim. Holly and Michael will also be introducing an exciting variety of guest artists from the Manchester International Roots Orchestra across the Spring Concerts Series.

Friday 14th February @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Sidiki Dembele (Camel Ngoni/Ngoni), Holly Marland (Piano/Voice), Abel Selaocoe (Cello) – this distinctive trio blends a variety of sound worlds from across Africa, with a hint of English folk. Sidiki is the second son of a griot family in the Cote D’Ivoire and one of the UK’s most respected West African artists. From the township Sebokeng, near Johannesburg, Abel is a prize-winning cellist currently studying at the RNCM and hailed as one of South Africa’s finest young talents. Holly is a member of the LIME Music for Health team at CMFT and a regular in the CMFT concerts series.

Monday 24 February @ 10.30am – Royal Eye Hospital: Dr Gielgud (Ros Hawley (clarinet), Mark Fisher (guitar) and Holly Marland (Kora/Piano) – LIME Music for Health Specialists bring highly skilled music making to the bedside in wards at RMCH and demand for their ward work is increasing across all of CMFT’s hospitals. Today, the three lead specialists perform together in the atrium of the Eye Hospital, creating evocative soundscapes that bring the space to life.

Tuesday 25th February @ 11am – Royal Manchester Children’s Hospitals: Charlie Ingham is a teenage singer guitarist from Marple. Reviewed after his first gig back in March 2013: “A wee tot of a lad who plays his primarily cover based set with youthful joy and hunger.” He was also dubbed a ‘tuneful turnip’ in the same review but we can leave you to decide the truth of those words. At the Children’s Hospital he will be playing a selection of well-known rock, nu folk and old school punk covers.

Friday 28 February @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Project Jam Sandwich – Project Jam Sandwich, devised of five award-winning musicians from the RNCM is a ‘world music’ outfit, adding their own individual stamp to folk music from all over the world. From Bulgaria to South Africa to Scotland, Project Jam Sandwich creates their own arrangements, concocting a captivating acoustic set of exhilarating improvisation, scorching rhythms and beautiful melody. From funk grooves to eastern european melodies, afrobeat to celtic reels. Project Jam Sandwich is a recipient of the RNCM Elizabeth Warren Award 2013. Performance highlights include RNCM Day of Strings 2013 and an evening recital in the RNCM Spotlight Concert Series. They recently reached the Finals of the Danny Kyle Open Stage Competition in the 2014 Celtic Connections Festival. They are currently recording their debut EP ‘Whistle-Stop Tour’, to be released in the New Year.

Monday 3 March @ 11am – Royal Eye Hospital: Purple Rhapsody – Purple Rhapsody is a one-man instrumental band that combines many genres into one seamless sound with one common theme – melody is key. Pianist and composer Terry Robinson will play a selection of the most popular Purple Rhapsody music, taking you on a journey from tender and soft through angst-ridden frustration, all the way to joyful jubilation!

Friday 14 March @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Nouveau Guitar Duo – Nouveau is a classical guitar duo that consists of prize-winning RNCM students, Sam Rodwell and Henry Alexander. Both guitarists are currently studying with Craig Ogden. The duo play a wide range of repertoire including music written by composers from all over the world. Expect virtuosic playing that is easy on the ear.

Monday 17 March @ 10am Royal Eye Hospital: Michael Cretu, Director of the highly acclaimed Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) and Holly Marland, LIME Music for Health Specialist introduce a programme featuring a special guest artist from MIRO. MIRO is a unique new musically diverse orchestra comprising musicians from Greater Manchester’s refugee and other diverse communities and RNCM students.

Friday 21 March @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Michael Cretu, Director of the highly acclaimed Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) and Holly Marland, LIME Music for Health Specialist introduce a programme featuring a special guest artist from MIRO. MIRO is a unique new musically diverse orchestra comprising musicians from Greater Manchester’s refugee and other diverse communities and RNCM students.

Friday 28 March @ 2pm – Royal Eye Hospital: Candela Jazz Trio – comprising vibraphone, bass and saxophone, creating soft and lyrical music with a relaxing warmth and groove, as well as upbeat music with more of an edge where appropriate. The trio are experienced in a wide range of styles and their music is a mixture of jazz and Latin flavoured music, with a focus on making music feel good and entertaining audiences of all kinds, whether as background music, or the focus of an event.

Monday 31st March @ 10.30am – St Mary’s Hospital : Hume’n Beans are a duo from Stoke on Trent featuring violin, guitar and vocals and offer a feast of musical delights. Violinist Šárka Skučková writes: “we understand how magical a live music performance can be. It can really stop time, make people smile and help to forget about stress, worries or pain. Music belongs to everybody, let‘s bring it to those who need it most“ They will play a variety of songs from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Eurythmics, Lead Belly, Paul Weller and The Flaming Lips.